Venus Retrograde 2026: 3 October – 14 November, Every Sign

In short: Venus (Shukra) is retrograde from 3 October to 14 November 2026 (UTC). In the Vedic (sidereal) zodiac it turns back in its own sign Libra (Tula), slips into Virgo (Kanya), its sign of debilitation, on 5 November (6 November at UTC+5:30), stations direct there and returns to Libra on 22 November. In the Western (tropical) zodiac it moves from Scorpio back into Libra on 25 October. Astrologers associate the period with second thoughts in love, the return of past partners, a cooler look at money and luxury, and creative work that goes back to the drawing board. Mercury joins it in retrograde from 24 October, so the middle of the period is a rare double retrograde. The traditional advice: review and repair rather than begin — and, in Vedic practice, avoid fixing weddings while Venus is combust, about 19–29 October.

The dates

Computed with our engine; times in UTC, with India (UTC+5:30, UTC + 5:30) where the date differs.

The retrograde lasts 42 days. Its eight-year echo is the Venus retrograde of October–November 2018, which covered almost the same stretch of sky.

What is happening in the sky

Venus is overtaking Earth on the inside track. On 24 October it passes between Earth and the Sun and disappears in the Sun's glare; for most of October it has been a brilliant evening star in the west after sunset, and by early November it reappears as a morning star in the east before dawn. In Indian almanacs this disappearance is Venus's asta (setting, or combustion) — the window in which marriages are traditionally not held. Exact almanac dates differ by method; using the classical orb of 8° for a retrograde Venus, our engine puts it at about 19–29 October 2026.

The Vedic reading: from own sign to debilitation

For a Vedic astrologer this retrograde has a strong shape. Venus turns back in Libra, one of its two own signs, where it is comfortable and dignified. Then it retreats into Virgo, its sign of debilitation (BPHS ch. 3), where its love of beauty and pleasure meets Virgo's discernment and criticism, and it stations direct there at 28.6° — in the last degrees of the sign, in Mars's nakshatra Chitra. Astrologers read this as love and taste turning practical and critical: noticing flaws, weighing cost, questioning what was taken for granted. A debilitated planet is not a curse; the texts themselves list cancellations (neecha bhanga), and a debilitated Venus is often read as love that learns to serve and to see clearly.

Other features of the sky that a Vedic astrologer would weigh:

• Company in Libra. The Sun is in Libra, its own debilitation, from 17 October to 16 November, and Mercury is in Libra from 26 September to 2 December, retrograde from 24 October. Three personal planets crowd one sign — a strong emphasis on partnership, balance, trade and agreements, read from whichever house Libra is in your chart.
• Mars's aspect. Until 12 November Mars is in Cancer, its own debilitation, and casts its 4th-house aspect (drishti) on Libra. Astrologers read Mars aspecting Venus as heat and friction in matters of love and desire — a reason for patience in arguments.
• Saturn's aspect. While Venus is in Virgo (5–22 November), retrograde Saturn in Pisces aspects it by its 7th-house aspect: commitments are weighed seriously, and some feel love as duty for a while.
• Nakshatras. Venus turns retrograde in Swati, ruled by Rahu (independence, trade, restlessness), and stations direct in Chitra, ruled by Mars (design, craft, beauty that is made). It is easy to see why astrologers tie this retrograde to creative and design work.

The Western reading: Scorpio back into Libra

In the tropical zodiac Venus turns retrograde in Scorpio, the sign of its detriment in traditional Western astrology (Lilly, Christian Astrology, Book I), and retreats into Libra, its domicile. The story astrologers tell is a movement from intensity to balance: from jealousy, desire, secrets and shared money (Scorpio) back to fairness, partnership and beauty (Libra). Relationships are reviewed first at the level of trust and intimacy, then at the level of what is fair. Venus stations direct on 14 November at 22.9° Libra and does not leave its shadow until mid-December.

Love and marriage

• Second thoughts. The tradition's central theme. Feelings about a partner, or about what you want, come up for honest review. Couples often find themselves talking about fairness, money, intimacy and the future.
• The past returns. Exes and old attractions reappear, especially around the inferior conjunction (24 October) and the double retrograde (24 October – 13 November). Listen; do not rush.
• New love. Relationships beginning now are traditionally said to show their real nature only after Venus is direct — enjoy them, decide slowly.
• Weddings. Many astrologers would not choose a wedding date between 3 October and 14 November if there is a free choice, and Vedic muhurta avoids Venus's combustion (about 19–29 October) in particular. If your date is already fixed, have the whole muhurta read; one planet never decides it.
• Marriage timing in your chart. If you are running Venus's dasha or antardasha, or if Venus rules your 7th house, this retrograde may coincide with real decisions about commitment — read it with your marriage timing indicators.

Money and value

Venus is the planet of what we value and what we pay for pleasure. For these six weeks the tradition advises:

• review spending on luxuries, beauty, entertainment and gifts;
• postpone big purchases of jewellery, art, designer goods and vehicles if there is a choice (in Jyotish Venus is the karaka of vehicles);
• reassess what your work is worth and renegotiate fees after Venus turns direct;
• with Venus moving into Virgo, a practical, frugal mood suits budgeting and clearing out.

Creative and aesthetic work

For painters, designers, musicians, writers and makers, astrologers associate this retrograde with work that stalls, needs reworking or returns to older styles. Mercury's retrograde from 24 October adds revision of words and plans. Favoured: restoring, editing, finishing, practising and revisiting old portfolios. Traditionally postponed: launching collections, exhibitions, rebrands and new visual identities, which are better timed after 14 November — and for the careful, after the shadow clears in mid-December.

Mood and mind

The tradition reads Venus retrograde as a reflective, sometimes nostalgic mood: old songs, old places, old people; a sharper awareness of what is missing; less appetite for crowds. With Mars aspecting Libra until 12 November, astrologers also expect some irritability in close relationships. These are astrological associations, not psychology; use them as prompts for honest reflection. If low mood or tension at home persists, reach out to people you trust or a professional.

By Moon sign (Vedic)

Count from your Moon sign (rashi) — if you do not know it, your free kundli shows it. The second house number is for Venus's days in Virgo (5–22 November). "Classical gochara" gives the commonly cited Phaladeepika (ch. 26) list, in which Venus's transit is favourable from the Moon in all houses except the 6th, 7th and 10th; a retrograde slows and repeats those results rather than reversing them.

By Sun sign or rising sign (Western)

Read your Sun sign, and your rising sign if you know it (the rising sign is usually more precise). Venus retrogrades from Scorpio back into Libra.

What to do and what to avoid

FAQ

When does Venus go direct in 2026? 14 November 2026 at 00:21 UTC (05:51 UTC+5:30), at 28.6° sidereal Virgo / 22.9° tropical Libra.

Is Venus debilitated during this retrograde? In the sidereal zodiac, yes, from 5 to 22 November, when it is in Virgo. In the tropical zodiac it is in Scorpio (detriment) and then Libra (domicile).

Is it safe to get engaged or married in October–November 2026? Many astrologers would prefer a date after 14 November if there is a free choice, and Vedic muhurta avoids Venus's combustion around 19–29 October. A fixed date should be checked as a whole muhurta.

Why is this retrograde called a double retrograde? Mercury is also retrograde from 24 October to 13 November. See the double retrograde.

What is the sky doing today? See the sky right now, updated every day.

Written by Sunyra Editorial. Astrology is a tradition of interpretation; read this as guidance, not a forecast. Disclaimer.

Last reviewed 20 October 2026